We have our work cut out for us in the coming years. The threats to critical affordable and supportive housing programs that serve the poorest households and those with disabilities are real and significant. Become involved in planning the 2018 Congressional Reception!

NJCounts 2019

All twenty-one New Jersey Counties will be counting individuals and families who were homeless – both sheltered and un-sheltered - on the night of Wednesday January 23, 2019.This annual census is conducted by networks of organizations, agencies and others that plan community efforts to end homelessness and is coordinated by Monarch Housing on the statewide level.

The goal of the second Annual Homeless Sabbath is to engage as many congregations of all faiths to include readings in their service(s) held on December 15th, 16th and 17th, 2017, at their respective house of worship. Click here to register online to participate.

Mr. Sperling discusses the history of housing and mental illness, the current housing barriers facing those with mental health conditions, the necessity of stable housing for recovery, NAMI’s commitment to housing affordability, and why NAMI joined the Opportunity Starts at Home campaign Steering Committee.

Andrew explains NAMI’s commitment to housing affordability issues, the history of housing and mental illness, the current housing barriers facing those with a mental health condition, and the necessity of stable housing for recovery.

“Without access to decent, safe, affordable housing, all the aspirations we have for recovery just collapse,” explains Sperling. “For the population I represent, no social determinant of health drives more bad health outcomes than unstable housing.”

Helping people with mental illness secure stable housing is a priority for NAMI. For someone with a mental health condition, the basic necessity of a stable home can be hard to come by. The lack of safe and affordable housing is one of the most powerful barriers to recovery. When this basic need isn’t met, people cycle in and out of homelessness, jails, shelters and hospitals. Having a safe, appropriate place to live can provide stability to allow you to achieve your goals.

Over the last decade, increased rental demand combined with development primarily at the high end of the market has led to record-low vacancy rates, higher rents, and increased competition for affordable and subsidized housing. This overall market trend is reflected in the ever-worsening affordability gap for extremely low-income renters with disabilities.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the federal income maintenance program that assists people with significant and long-term disabilities who have virtually no assets including people living with a mental health condition who find that there are periods of times when working becomes too difficult. In most instances, these individuals have no other source of income.

In New Jersey 97,468 individuals rely on SSI receiving a monthly payment receiving $764 a month in SSI.

In New Jersey, SSI is only 15% of the area median income.

Individuals relying solely on SSI would have to pay 151% of their SSI income as rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New Jersey.

And they would have to pay 132% of their SSI income as rent for an efficiency apartment in the state.

Participate in Homeless Persons Memorial Day Vigil – attend the vigil and help remember our neighbors who died due to lack of housing and supportive services;

Engage – talk to your family, your neighbors, your co-workers and elected officials about homelessness in Union County and how we need to work together to end homelessness. To achieve that goal, we need to change the conversation and focus on the needs of our neighbors; and

Form a homeless ministry - Begin discussions that focus on what more your congregation can do to end homelessness.